The ground test on a BR710 engine at Rolls-Royce’s facility in Canada completed the testing program including the Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent 900, Trent 1000, Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97, Trent 7000, and more.
Rolls-Royce has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing compatibility testing of 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on all its in-production civil aero engine types. This accomplishment fulfills the commitment made in 2021 to demonstrate that there are no engine technology barriers to the use of 100% SAF.
The ground test on a BR710 business jet engine at Rolls-Royce’s facility in Canada marked the completion of the testing program. Various engines, including the Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent 900, Trent 1000, Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97, Trent 7000, BR725, Pearl 700, Pearl 15, and Pearl 10X, were part of the comprehensive testing.
Testing involved a range of ground and flight tests to simulate in-service conditions. The results confirmed that the use of 100% SAF does not adversely affect engine performance.
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce plc said, “Becoming the first jet engine manufacturer to publicly confirm all our in-production engines for long-haul aircraft and business jets are compatible with 100% SAF, is an important milestone for both Rolls-Royce and the wider aviation industry. It’s also further evidence of our commitment to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and supporting our customers to do the same.”
Rolls-Royce has not only demonstrated compatibility with 100% SAF for its in-production engines but has also ensured its new generation UltraFan engine demonstrator has the same capability. The UltraFan engine’s first run in early 2023 utilized 100% SAF.
Simon Burr, Group Director of Engineering, Technology and Safety, Rolls-Royce plc, said, “This is an important milestone, not just for Rolls-Royce, but also for the wider civil aerospace industry. We hope the success of these tests provides a level of technical validation that supports those who seek to invest in the production of 100% SAF going forward.”
The next chapter in Rolls-Royce’s SAF initiatives involves Trent 1000 engines powering a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Flight 100, the world’s first transatlantic 100% SAF flight. This initiative, sponsored by the Department for Transport and involving a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic, includes Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and the Rocky Mountain Institute. The return flight, on regular jet fuel, aims to demonstrate the engine and aircraft’s ability to run on either fuel type without engineering changes.
The world’s journey to decarbonising flight is powered by British innovation and backed by the UK Government, meaning people can continue to travel how they want, in a way that’s fit for the future.
Mark Harper, UK Transport Secretary, United Kingdom said, “The world’s journey to decarbonising flight is powered by British innovation and backed by the UK Government, meaning people can continue to travel how they want, in a way that’s fit for the future. Today’s news demonstrates that Rolls Royce and the UK are global leaders in decarbonising transport, taking us one step closer to Jet Zero.”
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is positioned as a “drop-in” fuel that can be seamlessly used as an alternative to conventional fuel. Taking into account the lifecycle of SAF, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that the net CO2 lifecycle emissions of unblended SAFs are up to 80% lower than conventional fuel.
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Rolls-Royce estimates that, to achieve Net Zero flying by 2050, highly-efficient latest-generation gas turbines operating on 100% SAF are likely to contribute around 80% of the total solution. While current international standards permit a maximum of 50% SAF to be blended with conventional jet fuel, Rolls-Royce’s successful 100% SAF tests pave the way for a potential pathway to commercial flights relying entirely on SAF.
